Eight months since a stroke ended his rugby league career, former North Queensland prop Matt Scott says he is recovering well and ready to tackle life after football.
Scott looked set for a long rehabilitation after his shock health scare which occurred after the Cowboys’ round 22 loss to Newcastle last August, forcing him to abruptly hang up the boots.
But Scott said he was ready to move forward, taking up roles with his former NRL club and the Queensland Rugby League.
“I’m pretty good now. Much better than I was, that’s for sure,” the veteran of 22 Tests and Origins for Queensland wrote in a QRL column.
“I’ve got a few ambassador roles for the Cowboys and QRL which I’m pretty excited to get stuck into.
“To be able to still represent the two clubs, as such, is a privilege. There’s a few other opportunities I’m pursuing.
“I’m very fortunate that I’ve been able to put myself into a good position with people I’ve met and things that I’ve done, that I can take time over the next few years to pursue things I’ve wanted to pursue.”
Scott – who played 268 NRL games – is expected to make a full recovery.
The former premiership winning Cowboys co-captain said the support of the rugby league community had helped him move forward.
“It was very humbling to see the amount of support I got throughout Queensland, the NRL and rugby league community in general,” he said.
“I get a little bit emotional at times, after going through what I went through.
“It certainly made me realise how many good people are out there.
“It was great for my health and recovery.”
Scott now looked forward to his beloved Queensland bouncing back after losing two-straight series – a far cry from the Maroons outfit he starred in over a period spanning 2006-16.
“Obviously they’ve got a bit of work to do…but I think there’s so much potential there,” said Scott, who featured in a Maroons side that won 11 of 12 series including eight straight.
“You see the young guys coming through. I wish I had the chance to be part of this team as it develops.
“I think it’s not long before they really do show what they can do at an Origin level.
“We went through it, back before 2006. We had a couple of series losses and we came out the other side and really dominated, so there’s no reason why these guys can’t do the same.”